Research is active on the development of a chromia refractory brick composed principally of Cr2O3, Al2O3, and carbon deposits for operation in the slagging environment of a gasifier operating at temperatures between 1250°C and 1575°C, pressures between 300 and 1000 psi, and oxygen partial pressures between 10-4 and 10-10. This invention is available for licensing and/or further collaborative research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

Overview

Gasification is a high temperature/pressure chemical process is used to convert a carbon feedstock in to CO and H2 for use in power generation and the production of chemicals. It is also a source of hydrogen. Gasifiers are processing vessels containing high temperatures and pressures. They are also being considered as a critical component of advanced power generation technologies that target near zero emissions because they facilitate efficient CO2 capture for storage or reuse. During gasification, impurities in the carbon feedstock liquify, forming a slag that attacks the refractory liner used to protect the high-pressure containment shell where gasification occurs, resulting in significant wear, reduced service life, and replacement costs. This technology can provide a porous high chromia refractory brick for gasifier environments where slag penetration is mitigated through use of carbon arranged in a manner compatible with the high chromium content of the refractory brick, reducing significant decreases in material performance.

Significance

The technology provides a way to mitigate penetration of slag into the refractory, reducing structural spalling in gasifiers thereby lengthening the service life of gasifiers

The new material is compatible with the high chromium content of refractory bricks used in typical gasifiers

The ceramically-bonded Cr2O3 porous brick has carbon within its pores that acts as a component in an air-cooled slagging gasifier where high chrome oxide content materials are advantageous